What to do on the Grand Final Long Weekend that ISN’T football related

Not into the footy? That’s cool.

There’s so much to do in Melbourne during the AFL Grand Final Long Weekend (that’s right, long weekend!) So while many Aussies are glued to the telly or at the big game, get out and take advantage of the best events that Melbourne has to offer this spring!

Frolick through the Flowers

Spring is here and with that comes fields of colourful blooms!

Located in the Yarra Valley, just a short drive from Melbourne, discover the beauty of the tulip at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival!

Each weekend the fields have a different theme. The Turkish weekend which saw belly dancers shake their hips and ‘Over the Rainbow’ Week (an homage to ‘The Wizard of Oz’). More importantly, this weekend will be Food, Wine & Jazz weekend! Now that’s a tune I can get behind.

See the blossoms bloom in the Yarra Valley at the Cherry Hill Blossom Festival!

Cherry Hill Orchard will be opening their farm gates for visitors to see rows and rows of cherry blossoms! While you are there, try the orchard’s delicious cherry beverages made on-site, feast on food from the visiting food trucks and enjoy the live music as you walk through the orchard.

Night Life or High Fashion at the NGV

There’s always something new to explore at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)!

The two big features at the NGV this month are The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture, an exhibition designed exclusively for the NGV and include 140 garments designed by Christian Dior Couture between 1947 and 2017, including Australian model Miranda Kerr’s wedding dress, and Hokusai – the famed Edo-period Japanese artist known most famously for his The Great Wave painting.

Want to discover the NGV in a different light? Come experience NGV Friday Nights. With a great nights line-up of Australian acts, DJ sets, dining and bars, it’s the perfect way to end your week!
This year, NGV Friday Nights will run from 6 pm – 10 pm every Friday between September 1 – November 4, 2017!

Take in a show at the Melbourne Fringe Festival

This is the final weekend of the Melbourne Fringe Festival! The annual independent art festival hosts a wide range of art, including theatre, comedy, music, performance art, film, cabaret, digital art and circus performances as well!

For all the details about what shows will be on this weekend check out their website or get down to the Fringe hub, located in the North Melbourne Town Hall on Queensberry Street!

Family Magic at the Royal Melbourne Show

With many people at the big game or watching it from home, Saturday is the perfect day to visit the Royal Melbourne Show!

Whatever your interest – seeing the animals, being entertained by the fantastic lineup of live music and performances, or tasting the diverse range of produce from across the state; there’s bound to be something for everyone.

End the day with a bang There’s a Freestyle Motocross Stunt Show before the nightly Fireworks Spectacular!

For cheap tickets, be sure to buy them online and print at home.

Get out of the city!

The AFL Grand Final long weekend is one of the best chances to take a short break in Victoria as it’s the only state to have a public holiday on Friday (ACT, NSW and SA take Monday off for Labour Day, while Queensland has Monday off for the Queen’s Birthday).

My top is romantic nights and great hikes in Marysville, taking in the last weekend of the snow season at Mt Hotham or Falls Creek, exploring Geelong and the wineries of the Bellarine, or enjoying a foodie getaway along the Great Ocean Road.

Melbournians, let me know in the comments below:

What are you planning on doing this long weekend?

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Nicole is a frequent flying (sometimes) freelance writer with a love of aviation, cultural travel, and affordable luxury. When not studying towards her Masters or planning the next adventure she works as Digital Coordinator at one of Australia's top sports teams.

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